Saturday, April 4, 2020
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Dentists limited to urgent calls Allen County remains free of COVID-19
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Because local dentists have closed their offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that people take their dental hygiene into their own hands. “Exemplary oral home care — with excellent brushing, daily flossing, using anti-cavity mouth rinse — can be really helpful for most patients,” Dr. Ryan Coffield, an Iola dentist, said. “Of course, we’d like to see that happenDr. Sean McReynolds ing all the time, but it’s even more important now.” get “up close and personal,” Dentists are restricted from which increases the risk of performing routine mainte- spreading germs. nance, cleanings and filling “Even simple fillings can cavities because of the dan- generate an aerosol,” Dr. Dagers of spreading the corona- vid Andersen explained of virus. the technique that includes Dental procedures require spraying water into a papatients and providers to tient’s mouth. “Creating an
Dr. David Andersen
Dr. Ryan Coffield
aerosol is the last thing anyone needs.” Andersen is a dentist in the Iola office of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. State and national health agencies and dental associations have prohibited all but a
handful of procedures. Essentially the only procedures allowed are those that address infection, severe pain and trauma. The dentists who spoke with The Register said most
Allen County remains one of the few counties in Southeast Kansas, and even the state, yet to report a positive case of COVID-19, according to Friday’s data provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The latest report shows Allen County has tested 42 people for suspicion of the virus, a rate of about 3.40 tests per 1,000 people. Area counties report similar testing rates, while rates tend to be a bit higher
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Solidarity through disconnection Pastor offers hope amid ‘dark days’ By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
In troubled times riddled with fear and loss, everyone could use a comforting word to two. The Register therefore sat down with First Presbyterian pastor Dan Davis to see what wisdom he had to share for these dark days, delving into questions related to anxiety, isolation, grief and perhaps most im-
Pastor Dan Davis portant of all, the use of intelligence. When it comes to questions of faith and reason, Davis said it’s important not to shirk responsibility for our actions. Believing God is in control or
has a plan does not mean “surrender[ing] our common sense,” for instance, by disregarding advice from the “scientific and medical community.” “Jesus demands your heart,” he said, “but leaves us our minds. … Think.” This capacity is a gift not to be squandered, he said. Or put another way: have faith, but be smart. For as Davis explained, “it’s not [that] my faith is going to magically protect me … my faith gives me hope that God is in control.” And using our intelligence allows us to think beyond ourselves. It gives us the ability to ask: “What is See PASTOR | Page A5
Kelly underwhelmed by federal response ByJOHN HANNA and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly strongly criticized the U.S. government Thursday as unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic and said her state hasn’t gotten needed supplies despite multiple requests approved since mid-March. The Democratic governor said Kansas has sought “hundreds of thousands of everything,” including masks, gloves, gowns and testing kits, to deal with the outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19. The state also has been overwhelmed by questions
and claims from jobless workers seeking unemployment benefits. Kelly expressed her fr ustrations with Presi- Laura Kelly dent Donald Trump’s administration as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose nearly 15% in a single day, to 552, with 13 deaths since early March. Asked about requested supplies, Kelly said, “The shipments have just not come in,” and that she and other
Piqua, from dawn to dusk
The sun shines brightly on a memorial placard at the birth site of Buster Keaton in Piqua. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG Vol. 122, No. 111 Iola, KS 75 Cents
2019 NATIONAL AWARD
DAY THREE — I was sitting near the birthplace of silent film legend Buster Keaton in Piqua when Gov. Laura Kelly’s state-wide “stay at home order” came through. The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the nation for the past few weeks had finally hit home. In 1886, smallpox broke out in Piqua, whereupon the town was quarantined for six weeks. Guards were stationed on all roads leading into town. Travelers were told to drive their wagons and carriages on through Piqua without stopping. Adults were only allowed to leave home for trade. Children were forbidden to leave their yards. Dr. J.L. Jones, the public health officer from Neosho Falls, set up a tent on the west side of town where he cared for the sick. Many endured the virus
Trevor Hoag
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A premature end for Iola’s Coach Percy
Just Prairie and were left with scars. A young man by the name of Bert McKinsey didn’t survive. Looking southeast toward the site of the railway junction that breathed Piqua into being — April Fool’s Day, 1882 — I imagined the train cars passing while the roads were patrolled by sentries. The thought made me shiver, like the nearby purple clover trembling in the angry wind. Earlier that morning I had felt a rush of excitement when I discovered the rectory from the original St. Martin’s Catholic Church was still
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Cell phone tracking raises concerns
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Parents keep kids home from day care PAGE A8
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The Employees of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Awarded
Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare By Modern Healthcare magazine for the 12th consecutive year multiple national award for award-earning care